The

Module 1The Wrong Kind of Small Talk

Teaching aims:1.Learn some new words2.Improve the ability of skimming and grasp the key words and topic sentences 3.Learn the basic rules of small talk and the different culture between the east and the west.

Skim the passage, and try to answer the questions: (find some key words or topic sentences) said the first thing to Shecome into her head .

What is your first impression of Esther? Do She didn’t think about you Like her? she said. what outspoken be cautious about not cautious about other people’s =care about feelings…

Careful readingoutspoken

1-2

1.Do you think she was a good saleswoman? Why?( find her characteristics /shortcomings)

as a consequence

the ______kind of wrong small talknever learn____________ basic rules

made systematic mistakes

it was no coincidence thatShe wasn’t a good saleswoman.

of social communication

2.Exercise： 1. Which sentence can be replaced by ―Whenever I say something, I always make mistakes and make people feel awkward and uncomfortable.‖ Every time I open my mouth, I put my foot in it.2. It was no coincidence either that she wasn’t a very good saleswoman. A. It was certain that she wasn’t a good saleswoman. B. It was surprising that she wasn’t a good saleswoman.

3-51. Why did the customer look awkward? Because she didn’t want to say her age.

2.If you were Esther, you met your old customer, what should you say to her? You look much younger in this red coat.A nice haircut, isn’t it? …

6-81.Guess the meaning of ―when is your baby due?‖

2.Did Esther really feel sorry when she knew the typist wasn’t pregnant? No. Without any apology

9-101. What happened to the salesman?He was going through a very messy divorce and was very depressed. 2. What was her mistake?

She was never cautious about other people’s feelings.

11-18Try to find the topic sentence of the eight paragraphs. Much of the time, Esther said the first thing to come into her head. Or:

The trouble with Esther was she said what she thought, and didn’t think about what she said.

Translate the sentence: 1.You’re writing a book and I’m reading one.

你在写一本书，而我恰恰也在读一本。The book you are writing is similar to the one I’m reading. Maybe you’re copying…

“I guess the company chose me so they’d get some peace in the office,” he smiled. “No, I guess they chose you to discourage you from spending your whole career with us,” Esther replied sweetly.

19-22Which mistake did she make? She shouldn’t talk about other people’s private matters.

Summaryfirm Esther was a saleswoman for a ____ but __________ outspoken human being she was the most___________________ shortcoming in the world. Her major ___________ was wrong that she often made the ______ kind of small talk and she had never learnt the basic rulesof social communication. She __________ cautious was never_______ about other people’s As a consequence feelings. _______________, she often every time made mistakes ________ she opened her mouth.

Making friends in the USAPart 1: Features of conversation : Para 1 1)conversation: why – less lively? Not talking at the same _____________________ time. Part2: How and what to talk about: ( Para 2– Para 8 )talk about jobs 2) not sure what to talk about---_______________. factual matters 3) talk more about feelings, but less about______________. close friends 4)highly personal conversation, but not mean___________. 5)few /many Americans worry about questions /safe topics ___________________. the arguing topics 6)dislike arguments and avoid __________________. age and money 7—8): dangerous topics: __________________. Part 3: attention (suggestion) : Para 9 silence what to dislike:_________________.

Making Friends in the USA 1. When someone talks , everyone is expected to listen , no matter how dull the person's speaking may be . 2. We're defined by our jobs and we're usually happy to talk about them , unless you are a spy . 3. it's best to avoid politics , religion and other sensitive topics . 4. A highly personal conversation can take place after a very short period of knowing someone , but this doesn't mean that you're close friends , or the relationship is very deep . 5. But while few Americans will worry about the questions you may ask , particularly if you show you're aware of cultural differences , they may hesitate before they ask you similar questions . 6. There are no special rules or signs of extra respect for elderly people . 7. Income is a very private matter ........but show off their wealth . 8. But what we don't like is silence , and almost anything ..... silent guest .